April 28, 2022
Police announce secret arrest & deprogramming of 25 Islamic State members + Govt expands palm oil export ban, announces domestic subsidy scheme + 'Restorative Justice' program spreads on island + more
Good morning!
Welcome to The Bali Beat for Thursday, April 28. In today’s edition: Anti-terrorism police have revealed an operation from last October where they arrested 25 Islamic State terrorists; all of whom have since renounced their allegiance to the group after an intensive deprogramming regime. The government closed the short-lived "unrefined palm oil" loophole in its export ban and announced a subsidy & logistics plan to get prices down to Rp 14,000/liter. And a new "Restorative Justice" program is quickly spreading across the island, with the Bali Prosecutor's Office setting up regional education & mediation hubs, and already dropping cases in favor of this extra-judicial system. Scroll down for the full wrap on what has been happening in Bali and Indonesia since you last heard from us.
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National Figures
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The Big News
"25 Indonesian Islamic State Group Network Members Arrested in Bali" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): As many as 25 members of the Indonesian Islamic State (NII) network were arrested by the Special Detachment 88 Anti-Terrorism Police. Dozens of NII members were arrested from 2021 in Bali. For six months, a persuasive approach was carried out through the families of the arrested members, dozens of NII members then pledged their allegiance to Pancasila and the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) at the Denpasar Police on Saturday (23/4). An unnamed source said that the arrest of this group had actually been carried out in October 2021. Considering Bali as an international tourist destination, law enforcement activities at that time were not published.
"Indonesia widens export ban to include CPO, refined palm oil" from The Jakarta Post: Indonesia widened the scope of its export ban on raw materials for cooking oil to include crude and refined palm oil, among other products, its chief economic minister said on Wednesday, just hours before the restriction comes into force. The announcement was a reversal of the minister's statement a day earlier, in which he had said the export ban would only cover refined, bleached, and deodorized (RBD) palm olein. The change was "in line with the president's decision and after taking into account the feedback and views from the people," Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto said in a short statement. The ban would remain in place until prices of bulk cooking oil dropped to Rp. 14,000 ($0.9720) per liter, Airlangga said.
Context: We covered the disclosure of the apparent loophole in the palm oil export ban in yesterday’s edition; you can read the original story about that here. Elsewhere, the government also announced their plan for guaranteeing that Rp. 14,000/price, via a subsidy to producers and a government-led distribution effort to regional traditional markets, which would cut out middlemen and avoid their markups.
"Case of Worker in Bali Stealing Mobile Phone for Children [Dropped]" from IDN Times (Indonesian): The head of the Badung District Attorney's Office, Imran Yusuf, said that the defendant was suspected of violating Article 362 of the Criminal Code (KUHP). The defendant at that time stole a cellphone belonging to Muhamad Ferry Kusuma (28). The stolen goods were planned to fulfill his son's wishes as school supplies... After reaching a peace agreement and making a virtual presentation in front of the Deputy Attorney General for General Crimes, it was finally approved that the prosecution of this case be terminated by prioritizing restorative justice. "That the suspect has apologized and regretted his actions, and the victim has fully forgiven the suspect's actions," said Imran. Kajari Badung said that the victim's family and the suspect's family were also present in carrying out the termination of the prosecution. After that, one of the cellphones was handed over to the victim.
Context: State media also carried a story yesterday about a case in Denpasar that was dropped after the suspect apologized and the victim forgave him. This is part of the Bali High Prosecutor's Office’s plan to expand the use of “restorative justice” across the island. Over the last week, the Provincial Prosecutor's office has opened or announced their intention to open “restorative justice centers” in Penglipuran Village, Bangli and Ubud, Gianyar. They will serve as hubs where law enforcement and prosecutors can work with victims and perpetrators on education about the law, facilitate mediation, and as “a place for community deliberation before entering the realm of law enforcement.”
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Other Headlines
"Viral Video Bule Confesses, Kuta Traditional Village Ready to Sanction Traders" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): Bendesa Adat Kuta, I Wayan Wasista also said that his party would continue to monitor this through the village pecalang. If later there is evidence as alleged, then the customary village will give sanctions. "We still carry out raids to provide a sense of comfort for visitors. Of course, from the actions of irresponsible traders," he said. Regarding the viral video, he was very sorry. Although it is not clear whether the incident occurred in Kuta or not. Even so, the Kuta Traditional Village still mobilized at least 30 Pecalang people, 26 Village Prajuru, 6 Beach Task Force and 10 Jagabaya people. For Pecalang, Prajuru Desa and Task Force monitor the Kuta beach area. Meanwhile, Jagabaya is the part of the road in front which is fully backed up by Satpol-PP.
Context: After the Australian tourist's video went viral earlier this week, I Wayan Wasista was the first official to comment on it, initially saying that he thought that it could be fake and that he didn’t believe that it had been recorded in Kuta. He was quickly contradicted by the Head of the Badung Tourism Office, Deputy Governor Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati, and the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, who each visited the area and promised action.
"Public Transportation in Denpasar Continues to Shrink" from The Bali Post (Indonesian): The increasingly massive development of ownership of two-wheeled vehicles in Denpasar has an impact on the existence of city transportation (angkot). Now, the existence of public transportation continues to decline. In fact, the Denpasar City Government once had an angkot fleet program for feeder vehicles, but it did not show positive developments. Moreover, the vehicle does not charge a fee for its passengers. The head of the Denpasar City Transportation Service, I Ketut Sriawan, said, in 2022 the number of public transportation that is still operating in Denpasar City is only 26 units. Whereas in 2017, there were 599 angkot units recorded in Denpasar City. But slowly the number dwindled until there were only tens left. In 2018, the depreciation of public transportation was 314 units to 285 units. This number will last for three years until 2020. However, in 2021 there will be a sharp decline of 248 units, leaving only 37 units. And in 2022, there will be a depreciation of 11 units so that it becomes 26 units.
Tourism Update
"Pelita Air to mark commercial revival with Jakarta-Bali route launch [today]" from Coconuts: The airline is set to serve a daily route connecting the capital with the Island of Gods, with flights scheduled to depart Soekarno-Hatta Airport at 9:20am Jakarta time and arriving at Ngurah Rai Airport at 12:10pm Bali time. The return flights are scheduled to take off at 2:55pm and arrive at 3:45pm. Pelita Air received its order of two Airbus A320-200 planes earlier this month, which will serve the Jakarta-Bali route. The airline is set to receive 23 more of the passenger jets in the near future as it aims to become a major player in the domestic aviation scene.
More...
Nation: "Minister estimates normalcy restored in aviation industry in 6 months" from Antara
Province: "Bali Becomes the Most Destination from Soetta Airport on D-5 Lebaran" from Nusa bali (Indonesian)
Province: "Hotel Room Orders Ahead of the Long Eid Al-Fitr Holiday in Bali, Dezire: Many Hotels Have Booked" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
Province: "Passengers at Ngurah Rai are projected to increase by 20% during Lebaran Homecoming" from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian)
Province: "Bali hoping for Lebaran domestic tourist boom as hotel occupancy rate remains low" from Coconuts
Covid Developments
"Covid-19 funds in Buleleng have not been paid since June 2021 to 2022" from Radar Bali (Indonesian): The realization of the COVID-19 pandemic funds has now stagnated and has not been paid. Buleleng Hospital is said to have not received the Rp 50 billion epidemic fund. The funds come from patient health services from June 2021 to February 2022. Director of Buleleng Hospital, dr. Putu Arya Nugraha, Sp.PD who was confirmed on Tuesday (26/4) did not deny this. Arya said so far the cost of treating COVID-19 patients in hospitals has come from epidemic funds. The funds are usually paid by the Ministry of Health every month. But since mid-2021 until now, the disbursement of funds for the epidemic has stagnated. The total funds for the epidemic that are the rights of Buleleng Hospital are not less than Rp. 50 billion.
More...
Denpasar: "The Denpasar Judiciary Team nets 27 prokes violators" from Antata (Indonesian)
Jembrana: "Bali Police prepares booster vaccine posts for travelers" from Antara (Indonesian)
Business, Economy & Infrastructure
"Reviewing Sanur Port Development, Governor Koster Requests According to Design and Quality" from The Bali Post (Indonesian): Governor Koster continued that the [Sanur] port construction has reached 91%, with the same target completion time, namely June 2022. "The port is very large and quite long, if the construction has reached 91%, I think June can be completed," hoped Governor Koster. Although the port development has approached the target, this is not the case with the port passenger terminal which currently only reaches 37%. And it is estimated that it will be completed in 2023. However, Governor Koster continues to strive so that the implementing party can complete the construction in 2022. “So it is possible that it will not be completed in June 2022, or the completion will be delayed. But I have already spoken to the implementers, including the Managing Director of Utama Karya, so that it can be completed more quickly, before September 2022," said the Governor.
Context: Sanur Port is one of three Golden Triangle Ports to be built from 2021 to 2022. In addition to Sanur Port in Denpasar, Sampalan Port in Nusa Penida and Bias Munjul Port in Nusa Ceningan are also being built. Sampalan Port has been completed and has been released. Meanwhile, the Munjul Bias Port is in the process of being completed and is targeted for completion in June 2022.
More...
Bangli: "Down, Arabica Coffee Production in Bangli" from The Bali Post (Indonesian)
Gianyar: "The Ulapan Area Arrangement is Expected to be a Meaningful Investment for the Ubud Generation" from Bali Express (Indonesian)
Karangasem: "Ahead of Lebaran, Chili Prices in Karangasem Soar" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
"Seizure Results, 485 Liters of Sugar Arak in Bali Destroyed" from iNews Bali (Indonesian): A total of 485 liters of sugar wine was destroyed by the Bali Provincial Government . The production of sugar wine violates the Bali Governor Regulation (Pergub) Number 1 of 2020. "In addition to contradicting the Bali Governor Regulation No. 1 of 2020, this sugar wine also endangers health," said the Regional Secretary of the Bali Province, Dewa Made Indra. According to Dewa Indra, the Bali Provincial Government through Satpol PP has taken control of sugar wine producers. If they persist, they will be given strict sanctions. "We are committed to bringing order to production back to traditional materials," he said.
Weekend Reads
"Indonesian children jailed in Australia as adult people smugglers win court battle to clear their names" from The Guardian
"‘Systemic failures at every step’: the Indonesian children Australia sent to adult jails for years" from The Guardian
"‘I want to know why he died’: family seeks justice over Australia’s jailing of Indonesian child" from The Guardian
"Christian Porter denied justice plea from Indonesians jailed in Australia when they were children" from The Guardian
Of Interest
"Law Enforcers Asked to Supervise Serayu Sedayu Beach Security Project" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
"Allegedly Selling Fake Cellphones, Russian Citizens Seized" from The Bali Post (Indonesian)
"Buskers in Denpasar Arrested by Police, From His Bag Found Rp 7 Million" from iNews Balli (Indonesian)
"Packed in Chinese Tea Packs, Billions of Rupiah Worth of Drugs Secured" from The Bali Post (Indonesian)
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